Coffin-handle.



No. 632,914. Patented Sept. |2,-|899.

F CHILLINGWRTH CUFFIN HANDLE.

(Apph t um Ap 3 m99) 2 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

...efr/

W/ TNE SSE S A from/E ns' i Nonms mns cu. Puoro-Lrruo No. 632,9l4. Patented sept. l2, |899.

F. CHILLINGWORTH. cuFFm'HANDLE.

(Application fxled Apr. 3, 1899 y W'iinesses.

Attorneys.

'UNITED STATES PATENT Cerros?.

FELIX CHILLINGIVORTH, OF NEWr HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

COFFlN-HANDLE.

srnciFIoATIoN forming part of Lettere Patent No. 632,914, desea september 1e, 1899.

Aplioation tiled April 3, 1899. Serial No. 711,547. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FELIX CHILLINGWORTH, of the city and county of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cotlin or Casket Handles,of which the following is a t'ull,clear, and accurate description when taken in connection with the drawings, which form a part thereof, and in which-'- Figure l represents the front elevation of a coffin-handle embodying my invention. Fig.

` 2 represents the longitudinal section of such a handle. Fig. 3 represents an enlarged crosssection at the juncture of the drop-arm and the handle-bar on line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. -i represents a blank from which the supplementary sleeve is rolled or dropped into shape. Fig. 5 represents a longitudinal section similar to that shown in Fig. 2, but of a modiiied construction. Fig. 6 represents a similar section of a further modification.

In all the figures similar letters of reference represent like parts.

This invention relates to handles for caskets or coftins and similar articles; and its objects are to increase the strength ot such handles, to aiford a better grip for the hand of the bearers, to simplify the construction, and to reduce the cost of manufacture of such handles, and these objects I attain in the manner and by the combination of parts more fully set forth and claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings the parts designated by B represent a straight tube of sheet-tin or any other suitable material, into each end of which is inserted a plug of wood or other material C, Fig. 2. In lieu of the hollow tube B a solid bar M,of wood or other suitable material, may be used, Figs. 5 and 6. Mounted on this straight tube B or bar M is a supplementary tube or sleeve A of substantially elliptical or bulging form, the ends conforming to the surface of the inner tube B or bar M under bearings ot' arms E, which it over the straight tube B or bar M by means of loops or circular perforations which form the bearings and rest tightly against the ends of the supplementary sleeve A. These arms E are held in position on the straight tube or bar by screws e, rivets, nails, or other suitable means of fastening,which when the tube Blis used pierce through the tube B into the plugs C. The

arms E are attached each to a socket G, each socket having holes F for securing it in place on the side of coftins or caskets or other articles. The ends of the straight tube B or bar M are covered by tips H of any suitable design. The metal tube or bar between the tips H and arms E, as shown in Fig. 6, may be covered with fabric or other suitable material N, which may conform to the texture or shade of color of the casket or cofiin on which the handle is placed, thus producing a more harmonious eifect between handle and casket.

By my construction the part of the handle which is gripped by the hand of the bearer consists of an outer supplementary sleeve A, elliptical or bulging, and held firmly at its ends by the sockets of the arms E on an inner tube or bar. This combination of parts gives great strength to the handle, as the supplemental-y elliptical or swelled sleeve A is so held in position by the sockets E and the inner straight tube or bar as to prevent any lengthwise movement or straightening, while giving a better grip for the hand and permitting the use of stronger material for the sleeve. Hollow handle-bars have been made with bulging or elliptical portions; but these handle-bars have not been provided with an inner tube or bar. Hence the bulging portion has been made integral with the parts of the handle-bar beyond the arms, and this has requireda very soft pliable metal which could be expanded at its center. The result has been a weak bar, easily crushed or indented under weight of service. By my construction the tube may be made by having flat blanks of sheet-tin or other stronger metal, as shown in Fig. 4, rolled over a core or formed in a press and united longitudinally, thus materially reducing the cost and permitting the use of stronger metal.

I am aware that straight sleeves have been used over wooden bars; but

What I claim,and desire to secure by'Letters Patent, is-

l. In a coffin-handle, the combination with a handle-bar consisting of a straight inner tube orbar, and a supplementary sheet-metal bulging or elliptical sleeve mounted thereon, having its ends forming bearings 011 their inner edges on the inner bar or tube, and the IOO diameter of said sleeve at its ends being less than in its central portion; of arms rigidly secured to the inner straight bar or tube, and holding iirmlyin position the ends of the supplementary sleeve,substantially as described.

2.- In a coffin-handle, a handle-bar Consisting of an inner straight bar or tube, and a supplementary bulging or elliptical sleeve mounted thereon, said sleeve being formed of I a single blank of sheet metal with a longitudinal seam or seams, and having its ends forming bearings on their inner edges on the inner bar or tube, and the diameter of said sleeve at its ends being less than at its cenl tral portion, substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of March, A. D. 1899.

FELIX CHILLINGWORTH.

'Witnessesz EDWARD L. SMITH, SAMUEL H. FISHER. 

